There are Many Ideas with Nature Sketchbook!
Spring is such a gorgeous reminder of the beauty of nature! The birds build their nests, the flowers bloom, and the crafting mojo returns after a long winter! Today, Kathy Clement and Katelyn Grosart give great inspiration for that crafting mojo. These are such fabulous ideas for National Craft Month! See a beautiful brooch and gift box from Kathy below:
"If you are like me, you love Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Staples. We all know how much great texture and dimension they add to a layout, card or mixed media project. But have you ever thought of using them to create jewelry? With Nature’s Sketchbook papers, chipboard and flowers, a little imagination and some clever paper crafting techniques, I created a lovely brooch that can be used to accessorize scarves, hats and clothing." ~Kathy
Tips
NOTE: Melted UTEE is extremely hot and will burn skin if safety precautions are not used. Never touch it when melted and be sure to use tweezers when dipping and removing items into UTEE. Keep the hot pot away from children and pets.
- Mist Nature Sketchbook flowers lightly with water before shaping. This will break down the starch in the paper and make them easier to shape. It will also cause them to hold their shape once they are dry. Use this same technique to shape the butterfly wings.
- Let the flowers/butterflies dry completely before dipping into the UTEE.
- I melted UTEE in a Melt Pot then dipped each flower layer in it. Use tweezers so you don’t burn your fingers. Let the excess UTEE drip into the melt pot, then set the layers on a non-stick craft sheet to cool. Use hot glue to glue the layers together.
- Decorative Chipboard makes a great base for your brooch. Dip it in UTEE to strengthen it. Attach pin bale to the back with Glossy Accents. I also used Glossy Accents to secure the door plate to the front of the chipboard. You can hold it in place with binder clips until the glue sets.
- Paint metal staples with a base coat of white paint then tap with alcohol inks to alter their appearance.
- Fill flower centers with the door knob, seed beads or items from your jewelry box.
- Cover a Staples Matchbox with coordinating papers for gift presentation. To keep the brooch from sliding around inside the box, pin it to a die cut piece of felt.
Supply List
Nature Sketchbook Flowers
Nature Sketchbook Decorative Chipboard
Nature Sketchbook 12x12 Papers
Monarch Majesty
Seasonal Splendor
Nature Sketchbook 8x8 papers
Every Blooming Thing
Monarch Majesty
Nature Sketchbook 12x12 Patterns & Solids
Staples Shabby Chic Metal Ornate Door Plate & Knob
Staples Metal Ornate Keys
Staples Kraftboard Altered Art Matchbook Box (retired)
Other Supplies
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
UTEE Melt Pot
Ultra Thick Embossing Powder (UTEE)
Tweezers
Feathers, metal charms
Noble Peacock Seam binding
Silver Metallic string
Flower Shaping Tools
Eucalyptus Leaves
Paint, Alcohol Inks
Glossy Accents
Seed beads
Tweezers
Pin Bale (available at any craft store)
Katelyn shakes off the frost of winter with some gorgeous Nature Sketchbook cards that are perfect for any occasion!
"I’m ready for winter to be over and spring to arrive, so I pulled out the fabulous Nature Sketchbook collection to create a beautiful set of Just Because cards. I love to create card sets with no specific themes so in case I need a card set in a hurry I have one or two ready to be gifted to that special someone." ~Katelyn
Tip: Sometimes I don’t want to cut into entire pieces of patterned paper, so I fussy cut the images from the Ephemera cards to add embellishments to my cards.
Tip: To finish the keyhole, add brads to the top and bottom holes.
Supply List
12x12 Nature Sketchbook: Mother Earth, Every Blooming Thing, Seasonal Splendor, Planet Kingdom, Wildflower Bouquet and Harmonious Honeybees
Nature Sketchbook Ephemera
Nature Sketchbook Decorative Chipboard
Nature Sketchbook Flowers
Staples: Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads and Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Holes
Hug a Bug Seam Binding Ribbon: Black
Dark Green Cardstock
Sookwang Tape
Glue Dots
Edge Distressor
Paper Trimmer
Thin 3D Foam Squares
3D Foam Squares
Black Soot Distress Ink/ Blending Tool
This week we are giving away a prize pack full of Nature Sketchbook and some really great Tag Staples! This prize pack is worth $40! Who wants to win? Just comment here on the blog or on our Facebook page to take part! Make sure to enter today!
Have you been creation for National Craft Month? Share your work on our Facebook page! We cannot wait to see it (and there will be contests all month to win for sharing! So make sure to join us!)
Your Pals in Paper,
The G45 Family
Want to try these projects out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here
Gorgeous projects! BUTTERFLIES!!!Sitting here dreaming of all the wonderful things I could make with this collection. Thank you for the chance to win. <3 G45
Posted by: Robin Arehart | March 13, 2017 at 05:19 AM
That brooch is incredible!
Posted by: Jan Elmore | March 13, 2017 at 05:32 AM
The butterflies in this collection are wonderful! So many great ideas come to mind. Who would have thought of jewelry!
Posted by: Kathy Lutter | March 13, 2017 at 05:34 AM
This collection is absolutely stunning!
Posted by: Diane Fisher | March 13, 2017 at 06:05 AM
Oh wow!!! Such beauty!!!
Posted by: Dorothy McCarthy | March 13, 2017 at 06:14 AM
What wonderful projects! I love Nature's Sketchbook papers. The colours are amazing
Posted by: Jean Hiscutt | March 13, 2017 at 06:17 AM
Love the pin idea, and the gift box...two gifts in one! :) Those cards are too pretty, would have to frame them!!
Posted by: Marie Weddle | March 13, 2017 at 06:47 AM
Love nature, especially the butterflies!
Posted by: Rosemary Mann | March 13, 2017 at 06:52 AM
Really beautiful ideas, love nature, flowers, butterflies. I make jewelry also, so this is such a great way to expand with some new ideas!
Posted by: Veronica Roske | March 13, 2017 at 07:02 AM
Very beautiful I love the colors and the butterflies.
Posted by: Sarah | March 13, 2017 at 07:07 AM
Such beautiful colours in Nature's sketchbook. The projects are so colourful and beautifully crafted.
Posted by: Sue MacFall | March 13, 2017 at 07:15 AM
this line has really grown on me! I'd love to make cards with to give as gifts!
Posted by: bobbie | March 13, 2017 at 07:15 AM
Incredibly inspiring projects with so much detail.Nature Sketchbook is one of my favourite collection.
Thanks for a chance to win this awesome giveaway.
Posted by: Mathilde S. | March 13, 2017 at 07:27 AM
Today's blog is extra amazing!! I would love to win the prize-pack and start designing. Thank you for the chance!
Posted by: bbissell@shaw.ca | March 13, 2017 at 07:33 AM
Yes, please, I adore this collection, the butterflies are so pretty, and match ANYTHING, and ANY project.
Posted by: Penny Arnold | March 13, 2017 at 07:43 AM
Such pretty pieces! Love Kathy's use of the metal and the cute bird nest & feathers. And Katelyn framed these awesome sentiments so beautifully.
Posted by: Becca Yahrling | March 13, 2017 at 07:47 AM
The brooch is out of this world!! The cards I can't wait to try and make one myself. Nature's Sketchbook is exquisite!!
Posted by: Kath White | March 13, 2017 at 07:48 AM
Love the projects!
Posted by: Sharon P. | March 13, 2017 at 07:52 AM
WOW gorgeous projects and inspiration!!!
Posted by: Caitlin Rebecca | March 13, 2017 at 07:57 AM
What a beautiful collection! Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kathy Mallard | March 13, 2017 at 08:08 AM
Beautiful brooch and gift box! Love, love the colors and themes in Nature Sketchbook so would be so very happy to win this week's prize! ❤❤
Posted by: Glenda Buster | March 13, 2017 at 08:08 AM
Beautiful projects made with a gorgeous collection! Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Vanessa LeClear | March 13, 2017 at 08:11 AM
Beautiful cards from a beautiful collection
Posted by: Mary Morel | March 13, 2017 at 08:32 AM
Beautiful projects featured today! I love the Nature Sketchbook collection. Love the colors and the images.
Posted by: Susan Hirsch | March 13, 2017 at 08:33 AM
Kathy's feathers are beautiful.
Great use of so many wonderful
embellishments.
Katelyn's butterflies add so much
texture to her design.
Both projects are fantastic.
thanks to both of you for sharing.
Posted by: Mary Holshouser | March 13, 2017 at 08:36 AM
K & K- beautiful projects, Ladies! Such a beautiful brooch and love the cards!
Posted by: Kathy Jo | March 13, 2017 at 08:59 AM
Love the SKETCHBOOK papers. The colors are so vibrant and the artwork is of course wonderfully Graphic 45 and delicious!
Posted by: Kristen | March 13, 2017 at 09:15 AM
Beautiful! These projects are proof positive that great things come in small packages!
Posted by: Deb | March 13, 2017 at 09:26 AM
I love these butterflies. The bright colours are gorgeous and an inspiration for so many projects!
Posted by: bettina kreuer | March 13, 2017 at 09:42 AM
These are just so beautiful. The creativity is stunning. love this collection and all the other Graphic 45 collections. If I ever win a collection, I have to share it with my mom. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Posted by: Ana Thum | March 13, 2017 at 09:48 AM
Love this collection!
Thanks so much for the chance to win it!
Blessings to All!
Posted by: Penny Whitlock | March 13, 2017 at 09:56 AM
I can't get enough of Nature Sketchbook! I love everything about it. I have done some cards and a pocket album with it and have plans for more.
Posted by: Sherrill H Campbell | March 13, 2017 at 10:03 AM
Natures Sketch is that one collection gray for any occasion cards. Love these!
Posted by: Anne Schilling | March 13, 2017 at 10:16 AM
Love this collection! Hope I win!!
Posted by: Patti Schatz | March 13, 2017 at 10:18 AM
Such gorgeous projects!!!!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | March 13, 2017 at 10:44 AM
Stunning all of these..I just adore this collection Nature Sketchbook..I just am a Nature gal, it inspire me in my crafting ..Thank you for designing Nature Sketchbook...
Posted by: koalabc/barb | March 13, 2017 at 11:04 AM
Nature Sketchbook is my absolute favorite collection from the past year, and these projects really show off it's versatility! G45, Kathy, and Katelyn, you're the best!
Posted by: Margaret | March 13, 2017 at 11:08 AM
Gorgeous work
on all the projects!
Carla from Utah
Posted by: Carla Hundley | March 13, 2017 at 11:30 AM
Awesomeprojects
Posted by: Jeanne W | March 13, 2017 at 11:34 AM
what, gorgeous, vibrant work!!!!
Posted by: Kelly Massman | March 13, 2017 at 11:49 AM